Confirmed
Conf
The NL Central was a three-team struggle with the Cardinals right in the middle of it all. Things project to be similar in 2020, but one of the trio of pennant contenders could change. St. Louis seems to always produce talent. There core hitters will change little heading into the new season. They have a strong balance at both corner infield positions a short stop that hits for power. Outfield appears to be the weakest link in their hitting.
The trio of projected everyday outfielders is slated to hit after one another at the bottom of the Cardinals order. One of the Cardinals biggest assets during their consistent run as a playoff contender has been strong pitching. St. Louis really didn't miss a beat in 2019, finishing with the fifth best ERA in baseball. However, there are some indications that they could have a more difficult time duplicating that feat in 2020. Any loss in that area could put more numbers in the Cardinals loss column than expected.
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Game | Score | Starting Pitcher | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
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4/14 vs WSH | L 0-6 |
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4/13 vs WSH | W 14-3 |
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4/12 vs WSH | L 2-5 |
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4/11 vs MIL | L 3-9 |
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4/10 vs MIL | L 5-9 |
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Contents
The Cardinals may not have the most flashy starting lineup out there, but they have a group of names that will push them to a potential spot in the playoffs. The top of the lineup might go through some changes this season as they don't have that consistent leadoff man. Dexter Fowler has struggled, and Matt Carpenter's game has fallen off over the last two seasons. Kolten Wong and Tommy Edman are names that could work their way into the leadoff or two-spot. Paul DeJong and Paul Goldschmidt are the two power bats in the middle of the order. Goldy, of course, is also one of the better contact bats and is going to be the RBI machine. Now the back half of the lineup is a little weak. Yadier Molina isn't the same bat he once was, and the outfield isn't quite as potent either.
Matt Carpenter is getting up in age, and we often see them move to the DH in the American League. That will be the case in 2020, where Carpenter can serve as the DH. He has struggled at the plate over the last two seasons.
Paul Goldschmidt hits third in the order. He has been one of the more consistent hitters in the game and landed in St. Louis after a trade from the Diamondbacks. He is the Cardinals everyday first baseman.
The leadoff spot has been a mystery in St. Louis as they have used names like Matt Carpenter, Kolten Wong, and Dexter Fowler. Given the struggles of all three, they will likely ride the hot bat or test out different names.
The 2004 St. Louis Cardinals lost int he world series, but had four players hit over .300 and had three players have over 100 RBI and over 30 home runs. Larry Walker was also on the way out of his career and joined Pujols, Rolen, and Edmonds.
We have to go back all the way to 1903 to find the Cardinals worst lineup. They won 31% of their games, and offensively were one of the worst in the league. They had a total WAR of just 10.1.
The legend Stan Musial played from 1941 to 1963 and played over 3,000 games for the Cardinals. He has hit for a .331 average in his career and is often named the best Cardinals player to ever play.